“Go ahead, Merry,” said Hodge.
“Well,” laughed Frank, “I’ll do it.”
One minute later criers were running over the ground announcing that the ball game that afternoon would be umpired by the great Yale pitcher, Frank Merriwell.
Frank was given time to change his clothes, and then, still accompanied by Hodge, he went onto the ball ground.
The ground was not fenced, and it was completely surrounded by a throng of spectators. The M. C. I.’s were practicing.
As Frank appeared, somebody shouted:
“Here comes Merriwell!”
There was a great clapping of hands.
Frank was dressed in a spotless white flannel suit, and he made a handsome appearance.
The captains of the two teams approached him, and he asked them about ground rules. They gave him the desired information, and then he was provided with a fresh Spaulding in an unbroken box.